Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo (VTT)

Blue Lagoon time, minus the stressful planning. I like how this trip protects 90 minutes in Comino’s Blue Lagoon and makes the day easy with pickup from many Malta hotels. Your main consideration is that the Gozo stop is mainly for swimming and relaxing, not for a guaranteed onshore walk.

This is a Turkish gulet-style schooner day that mixes classic sea scenery with real food on board. You get a morning snack, then a hot and cold buffet lunch plus an open bar with beer and wine, and an afternoon fruit snack on the way back. If you want a rigid, fully timed day-trip schedule, this one is more about letting the sea set the pace.

Key things to know before you go

• Two 90-minute swim stops: Comino first, then a secluded bay in Gozo
• On-board buffet lunch and snacks: morning snack, hot and cold lunch, afternoon fruit snack
• Open bar basics included: unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks
• Sliema pick-up options are wide: 80+ Malta pickup points, or self-transfer if you’re by The Strand
• Restroom on board: helpful for a half-day at sea
• Optional Comino caves in summer cost extra: tickets available on board June to September

Sliema-to-Comino-to-Gozo: the 7.5-hour flow that keeps it fun

This cruise is built for a half-day sea escape. In total, you’re out about 7.5 hours, with enough time to actually swim rather than just stop for photos.

The day starts in Sliema, then you cruise toward Comino and Gozo while you pass the north-east coast of Malta. That cruising time matters because it turns the day from two isolated swimming errands into a real coastal voyage, with cliffs, coves, and inlets you can watch from the water.

Getting on board in Sliema: pickup rules that affect your timing

Most people will ride to the boat using included transport from their hotel or the closest pickup point. They offer 80+ pickup locations across Malta, and after you choose your pickup point, they confirm the exact pickup time.

Here is the practical move that saves stress: be at the pickup point at least 10 minutes before the confirmed time. The transport is described as a minivan or bus, and if it does not arrive within 10 minutes of the confirmed time, you’re expected to message or call the operator.

If you’re staying close to The Strand in Sliema, you might have a simpler option. In that case, the boat moors opposite Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand, Sliema, and you make your own way there by 09:40.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon: 90 minutes to swim, sunbathe, or just float

The heart of the day is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, with about 90 minutes at the water. This is the part you want to treat as your main event, because it’s the stop with the most time to enjoy the water on your terms.

You can swim and sunbathe, or relax either on land or back on board. The key practical tip is to plan your energy for that 90 minutes, because once the boat moves, you are not coming back for a second swim session.

Bring what helps you enjoy a long beach-like stop, even if it’s on a boat schedule: sunscreen, a hat, and swimwear you’ll want to wear again. Also consider a light cover-up for when you step away from the water, since sea days can shift quickly from bright sun to breeze.

The Gozo secluded bay: 90 minutes that feels quiet, not touristy

After Comino, the cruise anchors in a secluded bay in Gozo for another 90 minutes. This stop is designed for calm: swim, sunbathe, and relax on board or nearby, instead of racing through sightseeing.

One thing to understand up front is that this is not marketed as a full onshore Gozo tour. If you’re imagining a town walk and a set of viewpoints, the day focuses on water time more than land exploring.

This is great if you want a quieter feeling to balance the Blue Lagoon. It also works well if you prefer swimming over museums, and if you want a day where the sea scenery does most of the talking.

The Turkish gulet ride: what your day feels like at sea

This cruise uses a Turkish gulet schooner style vessel. That matters because you get an actual cruising experience rather than a fast ferry style hop.

As you move between Malta, Comino, and Gozo, you’ll see panoramic cliffs, coves, and inlets along Malta’s north-east coast. Even if you take photos, try to spend some time looking without a screen, because the coastline views change as the boat angle shifts.

You’ll also have basic onboard comfort. The listing notes there is a restroom on board, which makes it easier to enjoy the day without timing every snack and swim around bathroom breaks.

Lunch, snacks, and the open bar: where the value really shows

This is one of those tours where the food and drinks are not an afterthought. You start with a morning snack, then you get a hot and cold buffet lunch freshly prepared, cooked, and served on board.

On top of that, you have open bar included with unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. That’s a big part of the price value if you plan to have more than just one drink during the day.

You also get an afternoon snack on the return, plus a fresh fruit component mentioned as part of the snack setup. If you’re the type who gets hungry between swim stops, the food plan is straightforward and built into the ride.

One limitation to note: liquors and spirits are not included. If you love cocktails or hard alcohol, you should expect extra cost and keep that in mind when you compare value.

Scenic cruising time: why it matters even when you think you want just swimming

Sometimes people book sea trips thinking the only good part is the water time. This one adds value by building in a visible coastal route while you cruise, especially along the north-east coast of Malta.

That means you get a little more than two swim anchors. You’re also seeing the coastline and cliff shapes from a moving vantage point, which feels different from standing on shore.

So if you’re deciding between a purely destination-focused boat trip and something with more scenic cruising, this option tends to feel more like a true day at sea.

Optional Comino caves add-on (summer): quick and extra cost

There’s an optional add-on related to Comino caves in June to September. Tickets for a caves boat trip are available for purchase on board during that summer period.

One practical heads-up: the caves add-on is not included, and it comes as a separate ticket. Based on the information provided, a buyer can expect to pay 15 euros for that cave boat trip option.

Is it worth it? If you love caves and you’re traveling in summer when the option is offered, it can be a fun extra. If you’re mainly focused on swimming time at Blue Lagoon, I’d treat this as optional rather than essential, because every add-on can shift how you spend your time.

Picking the right traveler profile: who this cruise suits best

This tour is a strong fit if you want an easy Malta sea day with limited planning. The included transport from many pickup points, plus the scheduled 90-minute stops, makes it friendly for first-timers.

It also fits couples and friends who want a relaxing day where the boat handles the logistics. The open bar inclusion, plus buffet lunch, helps keep the day from turning into a bring-your-own-food hassle.

It may be less ideal if you need guaranteed onshore time in Gozo. Because the Gozo portion is described as a secluded bay stop for swimming and relaxing, plan your expectations around water time.

Should you book the Fernandes Comino and Gozo cruise?

I think this one is a good booking if your priority is classic Maltese sea time with real included meals. The standout value comes from two long swim windows plus lunch and snacks, and the open bar that includes beer and wine.

Book it if you like your day structured but not rushed, with plenty of time to be in the water and enough onboard comfort to make the ride easy. Also book it if you want an operator that simplifies the day with pickup from many Malta hotels.

Skip or reconsider if your top goal is land sightseeing on Gozo, or if you expect spirits to be included with the open bar. In those cases, you might prefer a different style of excursion that aligns with how you want to spend your time.

FAQ

How long is the Fernandes cruise?

The duration is about 7.5 hours.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Sliema in Malta, and you may also receive transport from your accommodation or the closest pickup point.

How long do you spend at Comino’s Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon in Comino.

How long do you spend in Gozo?

You get approximately 90 minutes in a secluded bay in Gozo.

What food and drinks are included?

You get a morning snack, a hot and cold buffet lunch, and an afternoon snack with fresh fruit. The open bar includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Are liquors or spirits included?

No. Liquors and spirits are not included.

Are bathrooms available on board?

Yes, there is a restroom on board.

Is transport to and from Malta accommodations included?

Yes, transport is included from and back to your accommodation or the closest pickup point, with 80+ Malta pickup points listed.

Are Comino caves included?

Comino caves are not included. Tickets for a caves boat trip are available for purchase on board in June to September.

What cancellation window is offered?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.